Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-08-06
Letter from Hon. John $. Barbour.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. July %, 'S7.
N~n Dnp0oteaeuo, Va:

ALEXANDRIA, VA. July %, 'S7.
Pungoteague, Va:
Dear Sir-Your very able and
suggestive letter of the 10Th, rel; :
tive to the political situation III
Virginia, aud especially presenting
your views in regard to the cues
tion Of the State debt, has been
dnly received and read with much
interest. am very much obliged
for the personal reference to my
self. and only wish that we're
more competent to measure mp 10
HE requirements of the OCCASION
7 have given the subject of the
State debt a good deal OF thought,
and. MS at present advised, do not
see that the Democratic party OF
Virginia can afford to change the
nosition assumed in 1883 to abide
Inv thc RiddIcbbergcl settlement.
The people of Virginia have ap
proved of this platform, as annuncl'
atcd in the creed of both parties;
I do not think, therefore, it wonl'i
be safe to depart from this position;
The assistance of the Federal
Goyernment-t0 which You refer
AS the idea of Henry A. Wise FIRST
and afterwards presented III d
general way by Mr.. Blaine-ls very
we'll worthy of consideration ana
might he introduced ut our coilveii
TOMAS supplementary to the decla'
ration to stand by the Rlddleoer'
ger settlement. ~.
There was resolution OF tins
sort intro tlnced and adopted i'll the
House of Delegates at the extra
scssion of the Legislature tlSC DC
fore it's adjournment, which you
may have noticed.
While Congress probably cannon
he induced to commit The fruera
Government 10 pay directly tn,
obligations of a State, it is believed
that ~ proposition to appropriate
an amount Of the public LANDS
equivalent in area to the territory
which was taken from Virginia II
| the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the State
might be passed. At least strong
equities could be urged i'll it's bo
half, and a good case presented Il
the national legislature. II thl'
can he accomplished a land fnnt
would be reelized which woult
fully pay our State debt ant
probably leave us a surplus for edu
cational purposes.
I do not see that We are SO help
less as regards maintaining our po
Sition. ii the people will only have
the patriotism to pay their taxe'
in money and not in coupons W.
will have but little further trouble
This course on the part of the PEG,
pie had heen pretty well assured
until tie Republicans in the cities
and counties undertook the pay
nrnt in coupons and excited tlt
cupidity of some Of our Democrat
ic friends to do the same thing
OF course their object was to make
party capital.
Tie Republicans, except in
few localities, represent very llttl
property OF the State, and thei
payment Of taxes in coupons vii
not amount to much if the Demo
Gratis Will only stand firm. Unit
that Object can be effected | do no
see what is left except to brini
public opinion tc bear upon thos
who are seeking to take advantas
payment pa Of taxes. Certainly a fe,
lnoneyed men in the cities 0ugh
not to he allowed to adopt any lin
of policy which will increase taxa
ton in the State and usulp thu
power which the regular accreditc
representatives of the people i
the Legislature would not dare OK
ercisc.
But, my dear sir, this debt que'
ton, Important as it is, oughC no
to be everything in Virginia. |
your section Of the State willlin
to see the Malone dynasty Restores
to power, with all the evils in it
train which past experience has eA
hibitcd9 Do the Democrats of AZ
comac wish to to see the Congress
sioDal districts rcapportioned i
the interests of the Republi
can party, the judicial circuits rt
arranged, a new lot of circuit an,
county Judges appointed, the schoc
boards vacated and filled with pal
Ily hacks and the Whole machinpr,
of our elections, State and Federal
controlled by such agencies i'll til
hands of our political Anniversaries
| | have too much confidence il
the Virginia people to expect al,
such result.
Of counsel have written you th
above purely as d personal lette
and in reply to your favor. IshaI
he happy to hear from you at an,
time, and remain, very respectful,
yours,
JOHN s. BARBOUR.
A Big Railroad Deal.